THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606050142
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: 74 lines
THERE WERE SEVERAL great storylines in the Southeastern District this season.
Great Bridge coach Martin Oliver wrapped up a 31-year career with a district title.
Indian River's Keith Reynolds seemed to burst out of nowhere and pitch the Braves into the Eastern Region tournament.
Great Bridge's John Curtice stamped himself as a possible future draft pick with a great season that featured a two-hit shutout of perennial power First Colonial.
But the story of the year was the Player of the Year: Great Bridge's Mike Cuddyer.
The junior shortstop and pitcher batted .541 with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs. The 13 home runs and 50 RBIs are are believed to be district records and were achieved in only 20 games and 64 at-bats.
To put those numbers in perspective, the other 10 position players on the all-district first team hit a combined 14 home runs, led by Wilson's Jason Morgan with five.
The district runner-up in RBIs was Western Branch's Corey Bauswell with 28.
``Mike is the finest player I've coached in 31 years,'' Oliver said.
Cuddyer is one of five Great Bridge players named to the first team and all but designated hitter Zach Younce will be back next season.
Indian River placed four players, Churchland two, Deep Creek and Wilson one each on the first team.
Cuddyer is also one of five repeat selections on the first team. The others are Churchland's Robert Jones and Aaron Bailey, Indian River's Reynolds and Great Bridge's Younce.
Capsule looks at the rest of the first team:
John Curtice, Great Bridge, P, Jr.: Big, strong, lefthander went 7-1 with one save and a 1.02 ERA. In 48 innings, allowed 26 hits and struck out 88.
Keith Reynolds, Indian River, P-OF, Sr.: The surprise player of the year. Added five miles per hour to his fastball and became the dominant righthander in the district. Was 8-0 with two saves and a 0.59 ERA. In 47.1 innings, allowed 22 hits and struck out 87. Also made first team as an outfielder. Batted .329 with one homer and seven RBIs.
Skip Harrison, Indian River, C, Sr.: Led Braves in batting average at .469 and in hits with 30. Had one home run and 21 RBIs. Threw out 70 percent of runners attempting to steal.
Robert Jones, Churchland, 1B, Sr.: Sweet-swinging lefty led Truckers in most offensive categories. Batted .367 with three home runs and 26 RBIs. Signed with William and Mary.
Brent Linhardt, Indian River, 2B, Sr.: Batted .370 with one home run and 13 RBIs.
Brian Anderson, Great Bridge, 3B, So.: Only sophomore on the first team. Batted .393 with 17 RBIs.
Jason Morgan, Wilson, Sr., Utility: Powerful righthanded hitter, batted and first base.
Zach Younce, Great Bridge, DH, Sr.: Batted .425 with 17 RBIs - batting behind Cuddyer - and led team in walks.
Bradford Tibbs, Great Bridge, OF, Jr.: Efficient leadoff hitter batted .442 with one home run, 11 RBIs and team-leading 31 runs scored.
Wes Barnett, Deep Creek, OF, Sr.: Speedy leadoff hitter batted .354 with on-base percentage of .520. Stole 18 bases. Top defensive outfielder in district.
Aaron Bailey, Churchland, OF, Sr.: Excellent speed and strong arm in rightfield. Batted .300. Stole five bases in one game. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MARK MITCHELL
AT RIGHT: Churchland's first-baseman Robert Jones, left, batted
.367 with three home runs and 26 RBIs. Outfielder Aaron Bailey
batted .300 and stole five bases in one game.
AT LEFT: Wilson's Jason Morgan batted .512 with five home runs and
19 RBIs. by CNB